Apparatus for washing fabrics or the like



Sept- 22, 1942- F. BRECKENRIDGE 2,296,260

APPARATUS FOR WASHING FABRICS OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept 22, 1942- F. BRECKENRIDGE 2,296,260

APPARATUS FOR WASHING FABRICS OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BB 82 a? 76 gli) "4'. 74 8 a4 as :59 15 INVENTOR -TQANK BnEcm-:NRLDGE Fxcf. ATTORN Patented Sept. n, 1942 UNIT-ED STATES vPATENT OFFICE 2,290,260 APPARATUS ron WASHING FABarcs on 'ma um;

Frank Breckenridge, Mansfield, Ohio, assigner to Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application 28, 1938, Serial No. 226,853

18 Claims. (Cl. 68-24) naar.

A. further object of the invention is to provide improved means for ilexibly supporting a washing unit so as to reduce to a minimum vibrations originating in the unit which are transmitted to the casing or supporting structure for the unit.

mother object of the invention is to providel an improved washing and fluid extracting machine that may be operated at higher speeds than have been employed heretofore so that the duration of the extracting period is substantially reduced.

A further object of the invention is to resiliently support a washing and fluid extracting mechanism during high speed fluid extracting periods of operation and to restrain said mech anism against oscillatory movement during slow speed washing periods.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings iorming a part of this application, in which:

l is a vertical sectional view of a washing machine constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention and having portions thereof broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a View, locking .in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. l, and. illustrates the frame and ilexibly supported water containing structure Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines ilf Ell or" Fig. l;

#l .is a view o a detail shown in Figs. l 3 and in a different operating position;

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the electrical apparatus forming a part of the washer construction;

d is a iront view of the control switch index te; and

7 is a curve referred to in the following description.

Reference will now be had to the drawings wherein l have disclosed my invention applied to a domestic washer of the type generally shown ond claimed in my copending application Serial No. 203,804, illed April 23, 1938, and assigned to the assignee oi' the present application. f It will be understood that my invention may be applied equally well to other forms of washing and spin-l ning machines and that the particular type oil machine shown in the present application is disclosed by way of example.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, for a description oi the construction oi' l the washing and spinning apparatus. The wash* er includes a tub or water containing structure i0 oi substantially frusta-conical configuration and including side walls il and walls I2 and i3 at its large and small ends, respectively. An access opening It is provided in the large end wall l2 at the center thereof and the side walls il are curved inwardly where it joins the end walls i2 as shown at i5.

Disposed within the tub structure i0 is a per forate rotatable basket generally indicated at i6 and substantially of frusto-conical formation. The basket i6 includes a side wall i1 and eno. walls I8 and i9 at its large and small ends, re spectively. The end wall i3 is formed with an access opening 2i aligned coaxially with the opening M in the tub structure i0. The portion 22 of the side wall il that is opposite the curved portion i5 of the tub structure il is curved as shown so that the inner surface of the basket i6 is defined by well rounded surfaces. A plu rality oi' perforations formed in the basket i6 are shown at 2u. it will be understood that substantially the entire side wall il and the curved portion 22 thereof are perforate. The end wall i@ is curved inwardly for dening a dome within the basket i6, as shown.

The axis of the tub lil and basket i6 is preferably inclined whereby the access opening ld is rendered more accessible to the operator for loading and unloading the basket. Furthermore, the inclined basket i6 provides for more even distribution of the fabrics in the basket i6 when the spinning or `water extracting operation is initiated.

Rotation of the basket it in a single direction at relatively low speed during the washing cycle and at relatively high speed during the spinning or extracting cycle is provided by a drive mechanism 23, preferably carried by the tub structure i0 adjacent the end wall i3 thereof. The drive mechanism 23 includes an electric motor 24 that rotates a shaft 25 of the basket it through a speed reducing mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 26. The shaft 25 is journalled in a suitable bearing 25' carried by the end wall i3 and preferably forming an element or" the mechanism 28. As the specific form of speed reducing mechanism 25 that is employed forms no part of the present invention, it has not been shown in detail for the sake of brevity. The mechanisrn 26 includes suitable gearing (not shown) between the motor 23 and the shaft 25 so that the latter may be driven at relatively high and low speeds. The mechanism 25 may be adjusted by an arm 21 for selecting the speeds at which the shaft 25 operates. It will be assumed that the shaft 25 is rotated at relatively low speed for washing when the arm 21 is in the position shown and that the shaft 25 rotates at high speed for spinning when the arm 21 is adjusted to the position shown in broken lines. The arm 21 is adjusted to its high speed position, or to the position shown in broken lines, by means of an electro-magnet 30 when energized. Further reference to the control of energization of the magnet 30 will be made hereinafter.

In my copending application, Serial No. 305,512, filed November 21, 1939, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, there is disclosed and claimed a speed-reducing mechanism of the type shown at 26 in combination with a diverging tub structure generally of the type shown at I in the present application.

Agitation of the fabrics in the washing fluid contained in the tub lll is effected by a plurality of inwardly extending ribs or vanes 3| that are circumferentially spaced within the basket l5. As the basket I5 is rotated the fabrics are engaged by the vanes and are agitated in the washing fluid; the fabrics being moved toward the dome I9 due to the inclination of the vanes 3| as they are moved upwardly. The fabrics adjacent the dome I9 are lifted from the fluid and then dropped from an upper region of the basket upon the dome I9 over which they slide as they are returned by gravity to the fluid. The dome I9 is ribbed as shown at 32 for providing a scrubbing surface for the fabrics and for strengthening the dome. It will be understood that other means may be employed for cleansing or agitating the fabrics and that the specific means disclosed herein is shown by way of example.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the tub III, basket I5 and the drive mechanism 23 therefor define a unitary washing and spinning construction, generally indicated by the numeral 33. A casing structure 34 encloses the washing unit 33 and defines the support therefor.

The casing structure 34 includes a frame 35 preferably formed of angle iron and having nishing side panels 35 secured thereto. The portion 31 of the front of the casing is inclined as shown and provided with an access opening 38 aligned with the openings I4 and 2 I, said opening 38 being provided with a suitable closure 38. The closure 39 is hinged to the casing 34 as shown at 4| and is provided with an operating handle 42. The closure 39 is preferably gasketed for preventing leakage of water through the opening 38. An annular seal or bellows 43 may be provided for closing the space between the tub wall I2 and the portion 31 of the casing while permitting movement of the tub l0 relative the casing 34. The bellows 43 is formed of flexible material such as, for example, rubber and is fixed at its ends to the tub I0 and casing structure 34 in any well-known manner.

Water is admitted to the tub I0 through an inlet conduit fitting 44 that is connected by a flexible conduit 45 to a conduit 46 secured to the casing 34. The conduit 45 is connected to suitable sources of hot and cold water, the owof water to the tub l0 being controlled by a valve 41. As shown, an electrically-operated valve is employed and includes a solenoid 48 which, when energized opens the valve 41 and when deenergized closes the same. As the construction and operation of electrically-operated valves of the type shown are well understood, further description of the same is deemed unnecessary. The exible conduit 45 provides for relative movement between the tub I0 and casing 34, further reference to which is made hereinafter.

Fluid is translated from the tub l0 in any suitable manner such as, for example, by means of a pump 5| that is driven by the' motor 24. Water is conveyed from the tub |0 to the inlet of the pump 5| by a conduit 52 and an outlet conduit 53 conveys the fluid translated by the pump to a suitable point of discharge. A flexible conduit such as, a length of hose, (not shown) may be employed for conveying the uid discharged from the pump 5|. The flow of fluid from the tub I0 to the conduit 52 may be controlled by a valve 54 that is operated by a solenoid 55 which when energized opens the valve 54, and when deenergized effects closure of the same. The solenoid-operated valve 54 may be of the same general type as the valve 41 referred to heretofore.

Operation of the washing apparatus described heretofore may be effected manually or automatically. As shown, the various electrical ele ments including the motor 24, the speed chang ing magnet 30 and the valve solenoids 48 and 5. are manually controlled by a switch 51 carrier by the front panel 31 and having an operatinl handle 51'. The electrical connections betweel the switch and the elements controlled thereb are shown in Fig. 5. The switch structure 51 in cludes a plurality of stationary contact finger 58 to 52, inclusive, and a plurality of electricall' connected movable contact segments 53 to 51 inclusive, cooperating with the respective contact fingers. The contact finger 58 is connecter' to a line conductor L1 and the contact fingers 59 50, 5| and 52 are connected to terminals of the motor 24, the solenoid 48, the solenoid 55 and the speed changing magnet 30, respectively. The opposite terminals of the motor 24, the solenoids 48 and 55 and the magnet 30 are connected to a second line conductor La.

The switch 51 may be a five-position switch, the various positions being designated as Off," Fill, Wash, Drain and Spin." As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the switch is in its off position so that the washer is inactive. Upon movement to the "ll position, the solenoid 48 is energized by a circuit including the contact finger 58, the electrically connected segments 53 and 55 and the contact 50. At this time water is admitted to the tub l0 and the fabrics and a detergent may be placed in the basket l5. When sufficient water is admitted to the tub, the switch 51 is turned to the wash position wherein the motor 24 is energized by a circuit including the contact 58, the segments 53 and 54 and the contact 59. Agitation of the fabrics in the washing fluid is effected at this time as described heretofore, and when the washing operation is completed, the switch 51 is turned to its "drain" position. Accordingly, the fluid is discharged from the tub I0 by means of the pump 5| as the valve 54 is opened by the solenoid 55. the latter being energized by a circuit including the contact 5B, the segments 63 and 66 and the contact finger 6I.

After the washing fluid has been drained from the tub I0, the switch 51 is turned to the spin position, at which time the speed changing magnet 3G is energized and the arm 21 moved to the position shown in dotted lines wherein high speed operation of the basket I6 is effected. The circuit for the magnet 30 includes the contact 58, the segments 63 and 81 and the contact 62. A substantial portion of the washing fluid present in the fabrics is centrifugally discharged therefrom and is removed from the tub I by the pump I.

After the spinning operation is completed, the switch Il is adjusted to its off position wherein the motor 24, the valve solenoids 48 and 55 and the magnet winding 30 are deenergized so that the washer is rendered inactive.

The operation described relates to washing of the fabrics and the rinsing operation is similar except that no detergent is placed in the tub. However, the switch 51 is actuated as described heretofore to its various positions for agitating the fabrics in the rinse water, for draining the water from the tub and for spinning the rinse water from the fabrics.

In accordance with my invention` improved means are provided for supporting the tup lll within the casing 34. The support of the tub III is such that, during high speed operating periods of the basket I6, the tub Ill is relatively exibly supported and, during low speed operation or periods when washing is effected, the tub I0 is supported in part directly by the casing or is relatively rigidly supported. As shown, the support includes a group of tension springs 1I located on each side of the tub. The springs are suspended from the casing structure 34 in any suitable manner and carry support plates 12 that are secured to the tub I0 intermediate its ends. In the present embodiment, I have shown four springs in each group (see Fig. 1). In Fig. 2, ;I have shown only the endI springs of each group, the two center springs of the groups being omitted for the sake of clearness.

A ysteadying supporting device 13 is associated with a bottom portion of the tub I0 and the casing 34. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it comprises a channel iron 14 secured to the casing frame 35 at its ends 14'. The channel iron 14S carries a cup-shaped member 15 having upwardly extending side walls 16. The portion of the device 13 that is secured to the tub I0 includes a ball 18 and socket mechanism 11, the socket 'Ill being secured to the tub in any suitable manner and theball 18 being housed in the socket and carrying a tension stud 19. A pad 8|, preferably of resilient material such as rubber, is carried by the stud la and provided with a stiff backing plate 82 that engages a shoulder 83 on the stud ld. A resilient compression member 86 backed by a washer 85 is also carried by the stud 1@ and preferably includes an annular upstanding rib 8@ that engages the under side of the channel Iiron 1li in the position of the apparatus shown in Figs. l and 3. The resilient pad 8l and the resilent compression member 84 are spaced by a collar 81 that extends through an opening Sii formed in the channel 12 and cup-shaped meinber 1&3. A nut 89 threaded on the stud 19 and engaging the backing washer l5 secures the pad si, the member it and the spacer il? together.

During operation of the washing apparatus, the basket I8 is subject to vibration due to any unbalance thereof, caused by, for example, uneven distribution of fabrics therein. The amplitudes of the vibrations for different basket speeds are indicated by the solid line curve (Fig. '7) for a washer of the type described heretofore. The washing speed employed is approximately 50 R. P. M. and the extracting speed, approximately 600 R. P. M. The critical speed for a washer of this type is approximately R, P. M. as shown by the peak of the curve, at which speed the amplitude of the vibrations is maximum. I consider it important to so construct and arrange the rotating element of the apparatus that the critical speed is of much lower frequency than the relatively high extracting speed.

In order to reduce the amplitude of vibration at critical speed, I provide inertia stabilizing means of suitable mass and preferably defined by a relatively heavy annulus 9| fixedly secured to the end wall I2 of the tub structure l0. The effectiveness of the stabilizer 9| in damping vibrations is increased as the distance between the stabilizer and the point of application of the vibrating forces is increased. In the present construction, the vibrating forces are applied to the tub through the shaft 25, its journal 25 and the end wall I3. Preferably, .the stabilizer 9| is spaced axially from the wall I3 where its effectiveness is optimum but it will be understood that the stabilizer may be spaced from the wa1l.l3 otherwise than in an axial direction. The mass of the stabilizer 9| may be determined for any specific application from the maximum expected unbalance of the rotating mass, the speed thereof and the allowable amplitude of vibration.

The dotted line curve in Fig. 7 indicates the amplitude of vibration for different speeds when the washer construction described heretofore is provided with the inertia stabilizer 9i as disclosed. It will be apparent that the amplitude of the vibrations at critical speed are substantially reduced. The effectiveness of the stabilizer 9| is maximum at critical speed as shown by the' curve. However, it is effective at other speeds and particularly at the high extracting speeds B in damping vibrations originating in the rotating elements of the washer.

The bias of the springs 1I is such that, during periods when the tub I0 is substantially devoid of water other than that which may be held by the fabrics, the tub I 0 is maintained in an elevated position, that is, the position shown in Figs. l

and 3, and the flange 86 of the resilient member 8,4 is engaged with the bottom side of the channel 14 so as to afford some snubbing action. The tub I0 is, therefore, relatively flexibly supported by the casing 34. At this time, the basket I@ is rotated at relatively high speed for centrifugally extracting uid from the fabrics. From the foregoing description it will be apparent that vibrations of the tub I@ relative the casing are permitted by the springs 1i and the resilient member 8 but such vibrations, being` dampened by the latter member, they are not transmitted to the casing 34 to any objectionable degree. Limited movement of the tub It in every direction is permitted by the springs 1I and the resilient member .84. Some movement of the bottom portion of the tub in horizontal directions is permitted by the ball and socket connection between the member 9S and the tub Ill, said member 8d bending or flexing as the ball 18 and stud 'it are moved horizontally. As the casing is sub stantially free of vibration, the apparatus may be constructed as a portable device and need not be secured to a foundation. Furthermore, when employed as an automatically cycled machine, the timer mechanism which is usually of delicate construction and affected by vibration may be secured to the casing 34 without any precautions taken for flexibly mounting the same.

When operating at slow speed or during washing periods, I have found that it is desirable to support the tub ina more rigid manner. Otherwise, bouncing of the tub i may be experienced at this time, it being understood that the effectiveness of the inertia stabilizer li is reduced when the speed of the basket I8 and the frequency of vibration thereof is reduced. During slow speed or washing periods of the apparatus, the weight of the water in the tub I0 is employed for lowering the tub i0 in opposition to the springs 1| until the resilient pad 8| seats in the cup-shaped member 15. The side of the pad 8| is engaged by the walls 16, as shown in Fig. 4, so that a relatively rigid support for the tub i0 is provided at this time whereby, a portion of the weight of the tub I0 and load therein is carried directly by the channel member 14. Some movement of the tub I0 is provided by the flexibility of the pad 8| and ball and socket connection 11-18, but it is relatively small. It will, of course, be understood that the resilient member 84 is moved out oi' engagement with the channel 14 at this time.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an improved ma-- chine for washing and drying fabrics centrifugali ly, wherein vibration is substantially reduced at normal operating speeds and during critical speed so that operation at high speed for extracting fluid from the fabrics is permitted. Accordingly, the duration of the drying period is substantially reduced by the high extracting speed which may be effected. Furthermore, the improved means for flexibly supporting the washing mechanism at one time and relatively rigidly supporting the same by the casing at another time reduces vibrations imparted to the casing to a minimum so that securing of the casing to the laundry floor is obviated and construction of the apparatus as a portable machine is permitted.

My invention is particularly applicable to washing machines of various types operating automatically for effecting a predetermined program of steps in a washing cycle, as badly unbalanced loads are encountered in automatic machines because of the automatic transition from the washing to the fluid extracting steps in the cycle.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a container for washing clothes, means Ifor actuating the container at different speeds so as to effect washing and drying operations, means for resiliently suspending the container and means for damping vibratory movements of the container, said damping means being more effective to damp vibrations of the container during washing periods than during drying periods.

2. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a container for water and clothes, resilient means for supporting the container to afford vibratory movements thereof in both an upper position for drying the clothes and a relatively lower position for washing the clothes, and means rendered active in response to movement of the container to its lower position for damping vibratory movements of the container.

3. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a rotatable container for water and clothes, said container having its axis of rotation substantially inclined from the vertical, means for rotating the container at different speeds so as to eilect successive washing and drying actions, said rotating means and said container forming a unitary structure, means Ifor flexibly and movably supporting said unitary structure during the washing action and for flexibly and movably supporting said unitary structure during the drying action and means for damping vibrations of the unitary structure during washing periods so that said supporting means is less flexible and movable during the washing action than during the drying action.

4. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a tub, a rotatable basket disposed in the tub, means carried by the tub for rotating the basket at relatively high speed for extracting fluid from the fabrics contained therein, said tub, basket and rotating means defining a unitary structure means 'for resiliently supporting the unitary structure and inertia stabilizing means rigidly secured to the tub and movable therewith as a unit provided on the tub.

5. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a tub, a basket disposed within the tub, a shaft for rotating the basket and journaled in a portion of the tub, an inertia stabilizer carried by the tub and spaced so generally in an axial direction from said portion of the tub that the basket is disposed at least in part in a region intermediate said tub portion and the inertia stabilizer, and flexible means for supporting the tub.

6. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for centrifugally extracting fluid therefrom, the combination of a supporting structure, a container for washing fluid and clothes, flexible means for movably supporting the container 'from said structure in lboth an elevated position and a lower position, said flexible means affording downward movement of the container to said lower position as fluid is admitted to the container, additional flexible means rendered active for assisting the first-mentioned supporting means in supporting the container and for resisting vibratory movements of the container when the latter is in its lower position, said additional flexible means being rendered substantially inactive when the container is disposed in its elevated position, means for rotating the fabrics in the washing fluid at relatively low frequency for washing the fabrics during periods when the container is in its lower position and means for rotating the fabrics within the container at relatively high frequency during periods when the container is in its elevated position.

7. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting fluid therefrom, the combination of a casing structure, a tub for containing fluid, a basket for containing the fabrics to Ibe washed rotatably carried within the tub, resilient means for flexibly and movably supporting the tub from the casing structure during both washing and fluid extracting periods, said resilient means affording downward movement of the tub when fluid is admitted thereto, vibration damping means interposed between the tub and the casing structure for limiting downward movement oi' the tub said damping means being rendered active in response to the admission of a predetermined weight of fluid to the tub, and means for rotating the basket at relatively low speed when the tub contains said predetermined weight of fluid and at relatively high speed when the tub is substantially devoid of fluid.

8. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for extracting fluid therefrom, the combination of a casing structure, a tub for containing fluid, a basket for containing the fabrics to be washed rotatably carried within the tub, a plurality of springs for suspending the tub from the casing structure, a socket member carried by the tub, a stud having a spherical head housed in said socket member, a resilient member carried by said stud and engaging a portion of the casing structure for resisting upward movement of the tub during periods when it is substantially devoid of fluid, a resilient `pad carried by the stud, seating means carried by the casing structure for receiving and supporting said pad during periods when a predetermined weight of fluid is present in the tub, and means for rotating the basket at relatively low speed when the tub contains said predetermined weight of fluid and at relatively high speed when the tub is substantially devoid of fluid.

9. In a laundry machine, the combination of a tu-b for washing fluid, a basket rotatably supported within the tub, driving means for rotating the basket at relatively low speed for washing the fabrics in the iiuid and at relatively high speed for extracting fluid from the fabrics, said tub, basket and driving means being constructed to denne a unitary structure and said basket having its axis of rotation angularly disposed with respect to the vertical, resilient means for movably supporting said unitary structure during both washing and fluid-extracting periods and resilient means relatively inactive during the fluid-extracting periods and relatively active during the washing .periods for assisting said resilient supporting means in movably supporting the unitary structure, said last-mentioned supporting means including means for damping vibratory movement of the unitary structure.

10. In a laundry machine, the combination of a tub for washing fluid, a basket rotatably supported within the tub about an axis disposed at an angle to the vertical and extending generally in a horizontal direction, means carried by a portion of said tub for rotating the basket at relatively low speed for effecting washing of the fabrics and at relatively high speed for extracting fluid from the fabrics, said tub, basket and driving means being constructed to define a unitary structure, inertia stabilizing means carried by the tub and spaced substantially from the portion thereof which supports the driving means, means for resiliently supporting said unitary structure, said supporting means being attached to the container in a region intermediate said driving means and inertia stabilizer, and means relatively7 inactive during the fluid-extracting periods and relatively active during the washing periods for resisting vibratory movement of the unitary structure, said last-mentioned means being associated with the region of the unitary structure intermediate the inertia stabilizing means and the driving means.

11. In a machine for cleaning fabrics and for spinning the same for the extraction of cleaning fluid, the combination of a container for the fabrics and a body of cleaning fluid, means for actuating the container at relatively low speed with fluid therein for cleaning the fabrics and for rotating the container at relatively high speed in the absence of the body of iluid for spinning duid from the fabrics, means for resiliently supporting the container in an elevated position during periods when it is substantially devoid of fluid, said supporting means affording downward movement of the container as fluid is admitted thereto, and first and second resilient means for respectively damping vibratory movements of the container, said first resilient damping means being more effective to damp vibratory movements than said second resilient damping means, and said first and second damping means being selectively rendered active and inactive in response to upward and downward movements of the container.

12. In laundry apparatus, the combination of a substantially cylindrical tub having an access opening provided in one end thereof. a basket disposed within the tub for enclosing cleaning fluid and the fabrics to be treated, drive means connected to said basket and operable to actuate the same at relatively low speed for washing fabrics and at relatively high speed for drying fabrics, said drive means being located at the end of the tub remote from the access opening, said basket, tub and driving means defining a unitary structure, means for resiliently supporting said structure and inertia stabilizing means provided on the tub near the end containing the access opening.

13. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for centrifuging cleaning iluid therefrom, the combination of a container for receiving a body of washing uid and the fabrics to be treated, means for agitating the fabrics in the body of fluid for cleaning the fabrics, means for rotating the fabrics in the container at relatively high speed for extracting cleaning fluid therefrom, a metallic spring system for resiliently supporting the container during both cleaning and extracting periods and affording downward and upward move ment thereof as cleaning fluid is admitted to and discharged from the container, respectively, and a body of non-metallic resilient material relatively inactive to support the container during fluid extracting periods and rendered active to support, at least in part, the container in response to downward movement of the container effected by the admission of cleaning fluid thereto.

14. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for extracting cleaning fluid therefrom, the combination of a basket for the fabrics having an axis rotation which is substantially horizontal, a tub for retaining cleaning fluid disposed about the basket, means provided in the tub for rotatabiyn supporting the basket, a rigid supporting member disposed near the upper portion of the tub, tension springs interposed between said rigid supporting member and the tub for affording freedom of movement thereof in all modes and means for damping .ribratory,I movements of said fiexq ibly supported tub.

l5. In apparatus for cleaning fabrics and for extracting cleaning fluid therefrom, the coni;- bination of a basket for the fabrics having ai?. axis oi rotation which is substantially horizonte?, -a tub disposed about the basket, means for: rst-f tata-bly supporting the basket in the tub, drive means located at one end of the tub and connected to the basket, said drive means being operable at relatively low speed for cleaning the fabrics and at relatively high speed for extracting cleaning iluid from the fabrics, inertia stabilizing means provided on the tub near the end thereof remote from said drive means, a rigid supporting member disposed near the upper portion oi the tub, tension springs depending from said rigid supporting member and engaging the tub ttor ilexibly retaining the latter in suspension, and means for damping vibratory movements of the tub.

16. In a machine for cleaning fabrics and for centriiuging uid therefrom, the combination of a container for the fabrics and a body o! cleaning iiuid, means for admitting cleaning fluid to the container, means for discharging cleaning iluid from the container, driving means for actuating the container at relatively low and high speeds, means for resiliently supporting said container, means relatively ineilective during highspeed operation of the container and relatively effective during low-speed operation or the container for damping vibratory movements of the container and control means movable to a plurality o! stations for selectively effecting lowspeed and high-speed operation oi' the container, the construction and arrangement being such that the damping means is eiiective to damp vibrations of the container when the control means is in a low-speed station and is relatively ineffective to damp vibrations of the container when the control means is in a high-speed station.

FRANK BRECKENRIDGE.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,296,260. September 22, l9li2. FRANK BRECKENRIDGE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page h., second column, line 55, claim h., strike out "provided on the tub"; and line V14.0, claim 5, for "and spaced so read `--end so spaced; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 10th dq of November, A. D. 19kg.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

